7/29/2019 Letter Elem

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February 2013

Dear Parents,

When I visit our schools, I always enjoy meeting with and talking to our students. This school year, I am seeingstudents read more difficult books and spend more time writing. When students share their opinions, teachers are

asking them to use evidence to back up their points. In math class, students are solving real-world problems.

These changes are part of the new Common Core standards, which describe what all of our students from pre-

kindergarten to 12th grade need to know and be able to do to graduate from high school ready for college andcareers. These standards are challenging, and thats on purpose. To qualify for good jobs in the 21st century, our

students need to develop strong writing, problem-solving, and creative skills. The Common Core standards, withsupport from you at home, will help us get there.

This spring, for the first time, students in grades 3-8 will take State reading and math tests based on these higherstandards. Tests for high school students will begin to change next school year. We expect these new tests to be

more difficult to pass, at first. But this change is important. Its going to help our schoolsbroaden students optionsfor the future. Students, teachers, and parents need to understand where students are on the path to graduating

prepared for college and a good job. With time and hard work, I have full confidence that our students will rise tothe challenge.

You may be wondering if this change will affect how students are promoted to the next grade and admitted toscreened schools. Though the State is introducing new tests this year, New York City will align promotion

standards to the Common Core over time. In past years, decisions about summer school were made based onestimates of each students performance level on the State tests: 1, 2, 3, or 4. This year, because the tests are new,

we cannot predict how the State will determine performance levels. Instead, we will look at students overallscoreshow many questions each student got right. Students with the lowest scores will be recommended for

summer school. Some students with disabilities and English language learners have different promotion standards,given their unique needs. We expect that the number of students attending summer school will be similar to lastyear. The students who need the most help will still receive the most support. Likewise, students who earn thehighest scoreseven if those scores are lower than in past yearswill still have access to screened middle andhigh schools.

Over the next few weeks, I encourage you to speak with your child about the new tests. Reassure him or her that ascore that is different from past years will not mean that your child isnt learning or working hard enough. The newstandards are a big change for our students and our teachers, and teachers have been working hard to supportstudents during the transition. Fully adjusting will take time. But I believe in our students and teachers, and I knowwe will get there.

Resources to help you learn more about these changes are available online. Visitnyc.govand search for CommonCore Parent Resources. I am also asking teachers and principals to talk with their school communities over thecoming weeks about these new assignments and tests. I encourage you to attend upcoming parent-teacherconferences to learn more. Thank you for your commitment to your childs education.

Sincerely,

Dennis M. Walcott

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